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CV NEWS FEED // Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital for bronchitis treatment Feb. 14, according to Vatican News.
The Holy See Press Office stated after the hospital admission that “initial tests indicate a respiratory tract infection. His clinical condition is stable, with a slight fever.” He is undergoing pharmacological treatment.
Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni told journalists after the hospital admission: “The Pope is calm, he is in good spirits, and has read some newspapers.”
The Press Office also said that due to the hospitalization, the Jubilee Audience scheduled for Feb. 15 and a Feb. 17 meeting with artists have both been canceled, according to a separate Vatican News report.
Pope Francis has been suffering from bronchitis for more than a week.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) stated Feb. 14 that it is praying for the Holy Father amid his hospitalization. Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, posted on his X account encouraging Catholics to pray for the Pope and his recovery.
In early 2024 during his first general audience of the year, Pope Francis was still recovering from mild flu symptoms and respiratory difficulties, including bronchitis and a cold that he had fought during the winter months, as CatholicVote previously reported.
In November 2023, he suffered from flu-like symptoms and difficulty breathing that required a hospital check-in, but he was able to return to the Vatican shortly after. Earlier that year, he had been treated for pneumonia and later for an abdominal surgery, as CatholicVote previously reported.
He has been hospitalized several times in his papacy and has suffered a number of health difficulties and injuries, including diverticulosis, sciatica, and a knee fracture, according to the Associated Press. The AP also reports that in 1957, he had an infection that resulted in needing to remove part of one of his lungs.
When Pope Francis was hospitalized in late March 2023, USCCB President Archbishop Timothy Broglio encouraged Catholics to pray for the pontiff before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
“On behalf of my brother bishops, I invite all the faithful to pause, if possible before the Blessed Sacrament, and pray for his speedy recovery,” the archbishop said at the time. “May our dear shepherd and all those in need of healing experience the comfort of Christ.”
Various prayers for Pope Francis are also available online, including some provided by the USCCB, Catholic Culture, and Franciscan Media.
Editor’s note: This article was updated on Feb. 14 at 4:10 PM ET.
